frYars - The Perfidy EP
[Make Mine Records]

This is an odd and pleasing listen, from one of London's youngest and most promising acts to surface in quite some time. If debut EP 'The Ides' got the music press giddy with glee, sequel The Perfidy EP is this 19 year creative oddball proving he has a million more freak-pop ideas tucked away in his sleeves.

The three tracks (a fourth is a remix of Benedict Arnold) drastically clash in terms of style and approach. The (Clor's) Luke Smith-produced 80s synth-pop opener, Olive Eyes, is the most immediate and inventive of the trio, underpinned by juddering r&b beats and flourishes of novelty cheap keyboard notes. Juxtaposing, a Christmas-feel takes over Benedict Arnold, awash with sleigh bells, marching drums and yuletide pianos: a traditional method of songwriting and instrumentation, that continues into The Novelist Wife; finished with brass, piano and frYars' weirdly-wobbling vocal.

The three tracks prove frYars can try his hand at anything, from experimental tinkering and quirky fun, to the epic dark 'ballad'. Move over Warmsley, McGuinness, Wolf and Co., there's a new kid in town.

The Perdify EP Track Listing:

1. Olive Eyes
2. Benedict Arnold
3. The Novelist Wife
4. Benedict Remix (by Luke Smith)